A characterization of the data, including its intended use and limitations.

Abstract:

This GIS digital data set portrays the average date when lilacs start bloom in Idaho. Information on dates when plants and animals reach various stages in their development is referred to as phenological data. The purple common lilac (Syringa vulgaris L.) was chosen as the indicator of plant development in western regional phenological studies because it is well adapted and widely distributed throughout the Western United States. Approximately 160 observers scattered throughout Idaho observed the dates of lilac bloom for the 10 years of data used as a base for this study (from 1957 to 1966). Without the unselfish dedication of these volunteers this study would not have been possible.

Purpose:

This digital data set was created for use in the Idaho GAP Analysis Project I because it was supposed to be highly correlated to solar radiation and at the time was the best surrogate of heat to use for potential reptile distribution. It was used as a substitute for temperature which could not be found at the time. Every isoline on the orginal hardcopy map was not digitized because only a subset of them were needed for GAP. No responsibility is assumed by the Idaho Geospatial Data Clearinghouse or the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, or the Landscape Dynamics Lab in the use of these data.

Supplemental information:

Montana Agricultural Experiment Station Bulletin 607, published in 1966, entitled "Pattern of Plant Development in the Western United States" explains the specifics of data collection and establishment of the lilac network. These 5-year average dates of begin bloom, which were slightly modified to represent averages for the 10-year period, 1957-1966, plus the elevation of each station enabled this map of plant development to be constructed.
The minimum elevation of each 6-mile square in the state was found and taken as representative of that particular area. The corresponding isophanal value from the phenological observations was added to the individual elevation constants, resulting in a begin "bloom-day" number for each square. Lines were drawn connecting squares with equal numbers for each 3-day interval until May 30, and every 5-days thereafter. An underlying topographic map was also used as a guide to assist in drawing the isophanes. The latitude and longitude coordinates of your particular location should enable you to determine the normal date when lilacs begin to bloom for your general area. In addition the location of each county seat is noted by a star.
Annual lilac development has been compared to a meter keeping track of the daily multiplication of solar radiation (calories per square centimeter per day) and mean daily temperatures above 31 degrees Fahrenheit. These "Solar Thermal Units" were reported by Caprio in the September issue of "Horticulture", published by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, to be approximately as follows:
Phase Solar-Thermal Units
First bud leafed 150,000
95% buds leafed 200,000
Opening of first bloom 380,000
Peak of first bloom 520,000
95% flowers withered 660,000
Additional uses are being made of this "barometer" of plant development. Moving the decimal of Solar Thermal Units 5 places to the left converts these units approximately into seasonal inches of water loss. For example, at the time when lilacs begin to bloom, which requires approximately 380,000 STU, about 3.80 inches of water have evaporated/transpired from fields which are well watered and completely covered with vegetation.
Irrigation scheduling, weed and pest control, and timing of planting to provide an orderly flow of produce at harvest are examples of future uses of annual phenological observations.

Language of dataset: en

Data Type

How the data are represented, formatted and maintained by the data producing organization.

Description of the data known by the party from whom the data may be obtained, liability of party distributing data, and technical capabilities required to use the data.

Resource description:

Downloadable Data

Distribution liability:

Although these data have been processed successfully on a computer system at the Idaho Geospatial Data Clearinghouse, no warranty, expressed or implied, is made regarding the utility of the data on any other system, nor shall the act of distribution constitute any such warranty.

Distribution Point of Contact

Contact information for the individual or organization distributing the data.

Description: This metadata is displayed using the FGDC Plus Stylesheet, which is an XSL template that can be used with ArcGIS software to display metadata. It displays metadata elements defined in the Content Standard for Digital Geospatial Metadata (CSDGM) - aka FGDC Standard, the ESRI Profile of CSDGM, the Biological Data Profile of CSDGM, and the Shoreline Data Profile of CSDGM. CSDGM is the US Federal Metadata standard. The Federal Geographic Data Committee originally adopted the CSDGM in 1994 and revised it in 1998. According to Executive Order 12096 all Federal agencies are ordered to use this standard to document geospatial data created as of January, 1995. The standard is often referred to as the FGDC Metadata Standard and has been implemented beyond the federal level with State and local governments adopting the metadata standard as well.
The Biological Data Profile broadens the application of the CSDGM so that it is more easily applied to biological data that are not explicitly geographic (laboratory results, field notes, specimen collections, research reports) but can be associated with a geographic location. Includes taxonomical vocabulary. The Shoreline Data Profile addresses variability in the definition and mapping of shorelines by providing a standardized set of terms and data elements required to support metadata for shoreline and coastal data sets. The FGDC Plus Stylesheet includes the Dublin Core Metadata Element Set. It supports W3C DOM compatible browsers such as IE7, IE6, Netscape 7, and Mozilla Firefox. It is in the public domain and may be freely used, modified, and redistributed. It is provided "AS-IS" without warranty or technical support.

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